Energy Now and Into the Future

Municipal Energy Champions came together to discuss ideas, opportunities, best practices and practical tools as they explored and shaped Ontario’s energy future.

The 2016 Energy Now and Into the Future Symposium looked at the future of energy in Ontario and how municipalities are helping shape it.

This two day event looked at a variety of topics from the current landscape to best practises from around the world. With attendees from over 50 municipalites the Symposium started the conversation on how Ontario municipalities can build their municipal plan for adapting to and adopting new ideas that will benefit both the climate and the economy.

Presentations

Setting the Stage

The Annual Energy Conservation Progress Report

This past May, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Dianne Saxe, released her first Annual Energy Conservation Progress Report. In this session, Commissioner Saxe discussed the findings from this report, including using energy reporting and benchmarking to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in municipal buildings, fleets, and water systems.

The Hard Questions of Electricity: Panel Discussion

The panel discussed the reason electricity cost more in Ontario than in neighbouring jurisdictions. They shared ideas about how municipal governments can participate in planning for the cost of the full life cycle of electricity infrastructure and getting value out of the current system

The Business Case for Municipal Energy, Air Quality and Climate Change Action

Municipal leaders were given practical advice about making communities more livable, resilient and economically competitive; energy, air quality and climate change is already a municipal mandate that enables communities to advance that vision. Gabriella shared the implementation and outcomes of municipal actions that reduces vulnerability to energy price increases, increases transportation options and encourages active transportation to improve residents’ health and wellbeing; fosters local energy opportunities to retain energy dollars within the community; supports local economic development; and addresses present and future infrastructure needs.

Beyond Ontario - Other Jurisdictions

The German Experience

Germany’s transition to a renewable energy economy has gained international attention for reducing energy imports and shifting to renewable supply, to stimulating technology innovation and the green economy. Craig Morris, Senior Fellow with the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, outlined Germany’s energy transition, what the reaction has been, and what Ontario can learn.

Energy and Municipal Governments in Quebec

Quebec has operated under a cap and trade system since 2013, and by now, the municipal impacts are clear. The First Vice President of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec, Alexandre Cusson, outlined Quebec’s system, the impacts on the municipal sector, and what Ontario and Quebec can pursue together to advance collective goals.

Microgrids and Virtual Power Plants

As Ontario moves towards low carbon energy systems, the value of microgrids and virtual power plants will grow. Microgrids can provide backup for the grid in case of emergencies, can cut costs, and can connect to a local resource that may be too small or unreliable for traditional grid use, allowing communities to be more energy independent. Virtual power plants can integrate several types of power sources, to establish a more reliable overall power supply. Ken Church from NRCan and Peter Asmus from Navigant explored these two approaches, and how to better connect distributed generation to local and broader energy needs.

Ontario: A Look Into the Future

The Future of Energy in Ontario

Honorouble Glenn Thibeault, Ontario Minister of Energy

Municipal Champions Panel

While the transition to low-carbon energy production is not always easy, some municipal governments in Ontario are already innovating and developing strong practices. Representatives from Chatham Kent, Oxford and Oshawa presented the initiatives they have been engaged in, their vision for the future of energy in their area, and what will be necessary to achieve it.

What We Need to Tackle: Ontario’s Big GHG Emitters

The transportation sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Ontario, accounting for over 30 per cent of emissions. In this session, Rob discussed how compressed natural gas and switching to diesel can help address this issue and reduce emissions.

Transportation: Electric Vehicles

Buildings: Retrofitting and Net Zero New Building

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association has been working on the development of net zero energy homes and energy retrofits. Sonja Winkelmann, the Director of Net Zero Energy Housing, outlined how this work is evolving and the potential for net zero energy homes in small and large communities. Joe Vaccaro, President of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association offered advice to municipalities on how to help net zero homes happen in their communities.

Distributed Generation and Storage

Using locally generated energy can save costs. This is even more effective if extra energy can be stored to ensure an efficient energy system. This session explored how to generate energy on a more localized basis, how to store energy, and how companies are working with the public sector on distributed generation and storage.

Municipal Cap-and-Trade Opportunities

What are the opportunities for municipal governments in cap and trade? Will it allow municipal governments to save money? Reduce their energy consumption? This session will explores these questions, and outlines how the municipal sector may benefit from the cap and trade system developing in Ontario.

Building the Work Plan - Workshops

In these sessions, QUEST and Ontario Sustainability lead workshop delegates in three different streams based on size of municipality. Delegates came away with a to-do list of tasks to move towards a low-carbon energy system in their area. Depending on where they are in the process, this may include energy mapping, creating energy plans, or creating climate change plans.